Fireproof construction.



m. 693,429. Patented Feb. ia, |902.

w.y una.

FIREPRF CIISTFUGTIN.V

(Application led Nov. 6, 1900.)

(No Model.)

UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIcE.

VII-JLAM O RR, OF TRENTON, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO THE NEW JERSEY VIRE OLOTHOOMPANYpOF TRENTON, NEWJERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEY JERSEY.

Fmi-:PROOF coNsTRUoTloN..

` SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 693,429, dated February' 18, 1902. i

Application filed November 6, 1900. Serial No. 35,622. (No model.)

T all wiz/0m it imag/concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM ORR, a citizen of the United States, residing at Trenton, county of Mercer, and State of New Jersey,

have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fireproof Constructions, fully described and represented in the following specification and the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the same.

1o This invention relates to an improved fireproof construction of that class employing concrete or similar plastic material in combination with reticulated metal and adapted especially for use as a floor or ceiling construc- :5 tion and toan improved building material for ireproof constructions. I aim particularly at the formation of a vfloor or similar construction in which the metal parts employed shall be of light weight, while at the same time 'seA zo curing the desired strength and reproof vqualities in connection with the concrete or similar plastic material and which may be built rapidly and cheaply. Y

As a full understanding of the invention can best be givenby an illustration and a detailed description of constructions embodying the same, such a description will now be given in connection with the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification and 3o showing theinvention as applied in construc-v tions of the preferred forms, and the features forming the invention will then be specifically pointed out in the claims. c f

, In the drawings, Figure 1 is a cross-section of a floor construction -in the process of formation with the centering in place, the concrete beingremoved in the' left halfof the Iigure to show the construction.` Fig. 2 is a crosssectionv of the completedconstrnction. Fig. 4o 3 is aplan view of the beams with the reticulated'metal in place before bending the ends of the rods about the beams. Fig. iis aview similar to Fig. 3, showing a modified form of reticnlated metal. Fig. 5 is a partial crosssection of a completed iioor, showinga modified construction. Fig. 6 is a partial section of a complete floor similar to that of Fig. 2, showing abeam protectionfand illustrating the preferred corrugated form ofthe rods. Fig.

5o 7 is a view similar to Fig. 5 with the beam protection of Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the beam-protection clip in position on beam-iange. Y i

Referring now especially to Figs. l to 3, A designates the iioorfbeams, which are shown 5,5 as of the common I form, although the invention may be applied with beams of other form; B, the temporary centering which is used for molding and supporting the green concrete, this centering being shown as sup- 6o ported from the tops of the beams by hangers C, although it may be supported in any other way, and D is the concrete which .is filledY in on the centering B to form the door and in which is embedded the reticulated metal 6 5v which forms theespecial feature of the presentv `invention, this reticulated metal in the form shown in Figs. 1 to 3 consisting ofY metal rods E, extending from beam to beam and hooked over the tops ofthe beams, and strands 7e i F, extending longitudinally of and between the beams and secured to the rods so as to form therewith a sheet of reticulated metal extending longitudinally of the beams with the rods E projectingat opposite sides of the 7 5Y sheet. Asshown in Figs. 1 to 3, the longitudinal strands F of the reticulated metal run parallel with the beams and each is formed of two crossed or twisted wires with the rods E inserted between the wires'of the strands, 8o' and this form of construction with two or more wires either twisted or'crossed together `and inclosing the rods E and extending par- I allelwith the beams is preferred; but strands l of'single wires maybe used, and the wires 85 and rods may be otherwise arranged and secured together by welding or any other form of attachment within the invention, considered broadly, and instead of the wires running parallel with the beams nettedorl. other 9o meshed form of wire fabric or other form of reticulated kmetal may be used in conection with the rods lil-such, for instance, as the nettingillustrated in Fig. 4f. Thedistance between the rods E will be such as to obtain '95. the requisite tensile strength of the metal-in x connection with the concrete, and in such constrnctions as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 the transl verse wires F ormesh of the Woven or netted wire or other reticulated metal will besuch roo as to allow the concrete to be filled through the meshes from above upon a centering below the metal, so as to entirely embed the latter.

The method of application in the construction shown in Figs. l and 2 is as follows: A centering ot suitable form is supported below or between the beams, as shown in Fig. 1. The reticulated metal formed of the rods E and wire strands F is then stretched in place with the sheet running longitudinally of and between the beams and with one end of each rod hooked over a beam and the other ends of the rods extending straight over the top of the adjacent beam, as shown in Fig.' 3. These straight ends of the rods are then turned down and bent around the top flange of the beam into the position shown in Fig. l, which bending acts to draw the reticulated metal tight between the beams, so that the rods act properly as tensile members for the concrete, while at the same time serving as tie-rods for the beams. The concrete is then filled in through the metal upon the centering, as shown at the right in Fig. l, after which the centering is removed, leaving a complete oor construction, as shown in Fig. 2, which shows also the usual plaster finish G on the under side of the iioor.

It will be seen that the construction above described provides a very strong concrete floor or similar structure' with light metal parts, the rods E forming efficient tensionrods for the concrete, and tie-rods between the beams and the longitudinal strands F, in connection with rods E, securing the desired strong anchorage for the concrete to the metal.

It will be seen also that the reticulated metal is simple and cheap of manufacture, as it may be made up into long sheets or webs of the proper span width with the rods E inserted at intervals and that it may be placed in position rapidly and accurately Without skilled labor by simply spreading the continuoussheet of metal longitudinally between and upon the beams and bending the rods E about the beams to adjust and hold the meta-l in place. While this reticulated metal is especially designed for use in constructions in which concrete or similar plastic material is filled through the reticulated metal to form a floor or similar construction with the metal entirely embedded therein and forming tension, anchorage, and tie rod members, as above described, in which case the meshes of the metal will be ot' such size as to permit the concrete or similar plastic material to pass freely through them, (and the invention consists in part of such constructions and material therefor,) it will be understood that similar metal with meshes of such size as to support the concrete may be used, so that the concrete may be filled in upon it without a centering to form a construction consisting.

web of metal then being extended between either the tops or bottoms of the beams or other supports and the rods E hooked over the supports. In the case of iianged beams it is apparent that such ceilings may readily be suspended by hooking the rods of the metal web about the bottom iianges of the beams. The broader claims herein include such constructions of reticulated metal.

While it is preferable that the rodsE should be hooked over the beams in fioorconstructions, so as to form tie-rods and hold the reticulated metal under tension secured by bending the ends of the rods around the beams, yet in the case of short spans it is possible to use the metal to advantage without hooking the rods over the beams, but simply embedding the metal in the concrete to serve as anchorage and tension members therefor. In this case I prefer to bend the ends of the rods E in such a manner that these ends will make an anchorage in the concrete in which they are embedded. Such a construction is shown in Fig. 5 with the ends of the rods Ebent upward at l to secure the desired anchorage. Otherwise the construction is substantially the same as shown in Fig. 2, except that the plaster finish G is omitted. It Will be understood that in making the construction shown in Fig. 5 the concrete will be partially filled in on the centering to form a bed, the reticulated metal then laid on,and the fillingin completed, as common in this art. It will probably be found preferable to slightly corrugatet he rods E to obtain a better anchorage in the concrete, although straight rods may be used, as shown in Figs. l to 5. It is frequently desirable also to provide a fireproof protection for the webs and bottoms of the beams by inclosing a space about them with reticulated metal and filling this space with concrete or similar plastic material, and I have devised a novel form of support for securing the required offset of the reticulated metal from all points of the bottom flanges of the beams, which in itself forms a specific feature of the present invention.

In Fig. 6 I have shown a construction employing my improved reticulated metal in the same manner as shown in Fig. 2, but with the rods E slightly corrugated for anchorage IOO IOS

IIO

of the concrete and with a beam protection consisting of the concrete D, filling the space inclosed by sheets of. wire lathing H, supported above by the rods E and offset from the lower iianges of the beams by my improved olsetting-clips I, which offsettingclips are shown in detail in Fig. 8. The lath ing H ot the beam protection is shown as covered with the usual plaster finish G, continuing the finish on the under side of the floor structure. The space inside the lathing II or some part of it may be left empty, as an air-space, it desired. These offsetting-clips I consist of a metal rod bent to form the body 3, extending longitudinally of the beams for the offsetting and support of. the lathing, and

required offset of `the lathing and space under the flange of the beam. These clips are 4arranged alongthe flange of the beam at suitable intervals and on opposite sides-ot' the beam to give the desired support of thelathing. It will be seen that these offsettingclips are very convenient and cheap of manufacture and may be putin place on the beams very rapidly, and that by the length and extent of the vertical and horizontal arms formed by bending the rods just the desired-offsetting of the lathing below and at opposite sides of the beam may be secured. This beam protection,f'with Vmy improved clips, may obviously be used not only with the construction in which the rods E are hooked overthe tops of the beams, butalso with the reticnlated metal embedded in the concrete withoutsuch tie-rod feature, and a construction of this form is shown in Fig. 7, which is the same as Fig. 5, with the beam protection of Fig. 6 added.

l. A ioor or similar construction comprising beams, sheets of reticnlated metal extend- 1 ing longitudinally of the beams and of such width that the span between adjacent beams is covered by a single sheet and having rods extending transversely tothe beams and forming a part of the sheets and projecting from the opposite edges of the sheets of reticnlated metal, andk a'lling of concrete or similar plasticmaterial between said beams,sub stantiall y as described. j f f 2. A floor or similar 'constrnctioncomprising beams, sheets of reticnlated metal extending longitudinally ot the beams and of such Width that the span between adjacent beams is covered by a single sheet and having rods extending transversely to the beams andforniling a part of the sheets and projecting'from` the opposite edgesof the sheetsof reticnlated` metal, and a filling of concrete or similar plastic material between said beams andin which the reticnlated metal is entirely embedded,

substantially as described. f

3. A iioor or similar construction comprisingbeams, sheets of reticnlated metal extending longitudinally of the beams and of such 4width that'the span between adjacent' beams is covered by a single sheet and having rodsextending transversely to the beams and forming a part of the sheets and projecting from the opposite edges of the sheets of reticnlated metal, said rods being hooked over the tops of the beams to form tie-rodsbetween the beams, l

`between adjacent beams is covered by a single sheet and having rods Aextending trans-v versely to the beams and forming -a 'partot the sheets and projecting from the .opposite edges of the sheets of reticnlated metal, said rods being hooked over the tops of the beams to form tie-rods between the beams, and a filling of concrete or similar plastic material between said beams and in which the reticulated metalis entirely embedded, substantially as described.

5. The combination with-beams, of sheets Aof reticnlated metal extending longitudinally lated metal .having a mesh of such size as to permit concrete or similar plastic material to be filled through the metal onto a centering below the metal, substantiallyas described.

6. The combination with beams, of sheets of `retieulated metal extending longitudinally of andbetween the beamsvand of such width that the span between adjacent beamsis covered by a single sheetV and consisting of strands extendinglongitudinally of thebeams with rods forming a part of the sheets and extending transversely to the beams and secured to the longitudinal strands and hooked around'the beams, substantially as described.

7. The combination withbeamsnof sheets of reticnlated metal extending longitudinally of and between the beams and'ot sulchyvidth that the span between adjacent beamsis'covered by a single sheet and consisting of strands extending longitudinally ofthe beams and i formed of crossed or twisted vw-ireswith rods extending transversely of the beamsand betweenthe wires of the longitudinal strands .y andhooked around ythe beams, substantially woven `therein or securedV .thereto andprojecting beyond ythe sheet and adaptedhto be hooked around the supports to hold the reticulated, metal in place', substantially as `described. Y

9. An article of manufaetureconsisting of' building material formed of a sheet of 4reticulated metal of such width as to cover thespan between beams with whichit kis to be usedA havingcross supporting-rods woven therein or secured thereto and projecting beyond the sheetv and adapted to be hookedover the dan ges of adjacent beams to support the reticnlated metal and form tie-rods between the beams, substantially as described.

10. An article of manufacture consisting of building material formed of a sheet of reticulated metal of such Width as to cover the span between beams or other supports with which it is to be used having supporting-rods woven therein or secured thereto and projecting beyoud the sheet for securing the latter in place, said reticulated metal being of such mesh as to permit concrete or similar plastic material to be filled in from above through the meshes, substantially as described.

11. An article of manufacture consisting of building material formed of longitudinal strands and cross supporting-rods secured to said strands and projecting beyond the sheet, substantially as described.

12. An article of manufacture consisting of building material formed of longitudinal strands consisting of twisted or crossed Wires and cross supporting-rods inserted between the wires of the strands and projecting beyond the sheet, substantially as described.

13. The combination with the beam A, of the oisetting-clip I consisting of a single piece of lnetal bent to form a body 3 extending longitudinally of the beam and arms 4t extending transversely to and below the beam with U-shaped portions 5 adapted to embrace the flange of the beam and support the clip, substantially as described.

14. The combination with beam A, of the oEsetting-clip I consisting of a single piece of metal bent to form a body extending longitudinally of the beam, arms 4 extending transversely to and below the beam with U- shaped portions 5 adapted to embrace the flange of the beam and support the clip, and vertical armsG for offsetting the body of the clip below the beam, substantially as described.

15. The combination with beam A, of a series of clips I on opposite sides of the beam, said clips consisting of a single piece of metal bent to form a body 3 extending longitudinally of the beam, arms 4c extending transversely to and below the beam with U-shaped portions 5 adapted to embrace the flange of the beam and support the clip, vertical arms 6 for olsetting the body of the clip below the beam, and reticnlated metal H extending below and about the beams and odset therefrom by the clips, substantially as described.

16. The combination with beams A and a reproof iloor construction between the beams, of a series of clips I on opposite sides of the beams, each of said clips consisting of a single piece of metal bent to form a body 3 extending longitudinally of the beam, arms 4c extending transversely to and below the beam with U-shaped portions 5 adapted to embrace the flange of the beam and support the clip, vertical arms 6 for offsetting the body of the clip below the beam, reticulated metal Hextending from said floor downward and about the bottoms of the beams and offset from the beams by said clips, and plastic material on said metal, substantially as described.

17. Oi'setting-clip I consisting of a single piece of metal bent to form a body 3 and arms 4 extending transversely to the body with U shaped portions 5 at the ends of the arms adapted to embrace the flange of a beam, substantially as described.

1S. Offsetting-clip I consisting of a single piece of metal bent to form a body 3 and arms lextending transverselyto the body with U- shaped portions 5 at the ends of the arms adapted to embrace the liange of a beam, and vertical arms 6 for oisetting the body of the clip below the beam, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set myhand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM ORR.

Witnesses:

Louis G. Banus, EDWIN W. ARNOLD. 

